Article & Photos by: Linda Carlson

Cincinnati, OH – As the Pawns & Kings Tour winds down, Cincinnati fans gathered at the Andrew J Brady Music Center along the Ohio River for an evening of rock featuring headliner Alter Bridge, with support from metal favorite Sevendust and the Godfrey brothers of MJT.

MJT started the evening.  Such a fun band!  This Long Island trio is comprised of three Godfrey brothers: David (vocals, guitar), Matt (keyboard) and Jordan (drums).  Soulful yet groovy, the band puts on a terrific show.  Special raves to Jordan, who is a photographer’s delight.

Atlanta’s Sevendust was next, promoting their newest album Truth Killer, and what an amazing performance!  Lajon Witherspoon is at once a powerful frontman with flailing dreads and a commanding metal voice, and yet also a smiling, congenial friend to the audience.  “Cincinnati!  Cincinnati! Thank you for making us feel like family!”  When that smile crosses his face, his eyes smile, too.

Strong performances as well from Vince Hornsby (bass), Morgan Rose (drums), John Connolly (rhythm guitar) and Clint Lowery (lead guitar).  The band’s line-up has remained essentially the same since 1995, and the cohesiveness shows in their performance.

Sevendust closed their set with “Shine,” which Witherspoon dedicated to his baby brother, who he wished could be there with him.

Time for Alter Bridge!  This band has such a cool rock vibe.  Each band member is comfortable in his skin, performing with a bravado that is rooted in confidence and skill.  Myles Kennedy (vocals, rhythm guitar) is easy-going, delivering melodic tones that reach your core. Together with Mark Tremonti (lead guitar), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums), the band performs as if they were in your living room, putting on a show just for you.  It feels that personal.

With seven studio albums four live albums, the band has been productive since their 2004 inception, effectively since Creed disbanded (Tremonti, Marshall and Phillips had been members).  The band’s fan base is broad, appealing to fans of classic rock, modern rock and metal.

The set was sprinkled with solos to showcase the band’s range:

Silver Tongue
Addicted to Pain
Ghost of Days Gone By
Broken Wings
Burn It Down
Cry of Achilles
Wonderful Life (Kennedy solo)
Watch Over You (Kennedy solo)
In Loving Memory (Kennedy & Tremonti)
Blackbird
Come to Life
Fable of the Silent Son
Isolation
Open Your Eyes
Metalingus

Encore:
Rise Today

The Pawns and Kings Tour is ending, but touring never stops for long!  Check each band’s website for more shows.

Be sure to check out more photos from the night in the image carousel below.